Gudea (Sumerian: 𒅗𒌤𒀀, Gu3-de2-a) was a ruler (ensi) of the state of Lagash in Southern Mesopotamia, who ruled c. 2080–2060 BC (short chronology) or 2144-2124 BC (middle chronology). He probably did not come from the city, but had married Ninalla, daughter of the ruler Ur-Baba (2164–2144 BC) of Lagash, thus gaining entrance to the royal house of Lagash. He was succeeded by his son Ur-Ningirsu. Gudea ruled at a time when the center of Sumer was ruled by the Gutian dynasty, and when Ishtup-Ilum ruled to the north in Mari.[1] Under Gudea, Lagash had a golden age, and seemed to enjoy a high level of independence from the Gutians.[2]
Gudea EnsiLagashki, "Gudea, Governor of Lagash", in an inscription.Cylinder seal of Gudea. It reads "Gudea, Ensi of Lagash; Lugal-me, scribe, thy servant".[3]
Gudea chose the title of énsi (town-king or governor), not the more exalted lugal (Akkadianšarrum). Gudea did not style himself "god of Lagash" as he was not deified during his own lifetime, this title must have been given to him posthumously[4] as in accordance with Mesopotamian traditions for all rulers except Naram-Sin of Akkad and some of the Ur III kings.[5]
The 20 years of his reign are all known by name; the main military exploit seems to have occurred in his Year 6, called the "Year when Anshan was smitten with weapons".[6]
Although Gudea claimed to have conquered Elam and Anshan, most of his inscriptions emphasize the building of irrigation channels and temples, and the creation of precious gifts to the gods.[7]
Foundation figurines of gods in copper alloy, reign of Gudea, c. 2150 BCE, from the temple of Ningirsu at Girsu (British Museum, London).Votive stele of Gudea, ruler of Lagash, to the temple of Ningirsu: Gudea being led by Ningishzida into the presence of a deity who is seated on a throne. From Girsu, Iraq. 2144-2124 BCE. Ancient Orient Museum, IstanbulSacred basin, a gift from Gudea to the temple of Ningirsu. From Girsu, Iraq. 2144-2122 BCE. Ancient Orient Museum, IstanbulDiorite mortar, an offering from Gudea to Enlil. From Nippur, Iraq. 2144-2124 BCE. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul
The inscription on a statue of Gudea as architect of the House of Ningirsu,[11] warns the reader of doom if the words are altered, but there is a startling difference between the warnings of Sargon or his line and the warnings of Gudea. The one is length; Gudea's curse lasts nearly a quarter of the inscription's considerable length,[12] and another is creativity. The gods will not merely reduce the offender's progeny to ash and destroy his foundations, no, they will, "let him sit down in the dust instead of on the seat they set up for him". He will be "slaughtered like a bull… seized like an aurochs by his fierce horn".[13]
Lagash under Gudea had extensive commercial communications with distant realms. According to his own records, Gudea brought cedars from the Amanus and Lebanon mountains in Syria, diorite from eastern Arabia, copper and gold from central and southern Arabia and from Sinai, while his armies were engaged in battles in Elam on the east.[14]
International relationsEdit
Location of foreign lands for the Mesopotamians, including Meluhha.
In an inscription, Gudea referred to the Meluhhans who came to Sumer to sell gold dust, carnelian etc...[14] In another inscription, he mentioned his victory over the territories of Magan, Meluhha, Elam and Amurru.[14]
In the Gudea cylinders, Gudea mentions that "I will spread in the world respect for my Temple, under my name the whole universe will gather in it, and Magan and Meluhha will come down from their mountains to attend" (cylinder A, IX).[15] In cylinder B, XIV, he mentions his procurement of "blocks of lapis lazuli and bright carnelian from Meluhha."[16]
The first known reference to Goa in India possibly appears as Gubi in the records of Gudea.[17] At the time, Sumerians had established trade contacts with India.[17]
Important artifactsEdit
The "Libation vase of Gudea" with the dragon Mušḫuššu, dedicated to Ningishzida (21st century BC short chronology). The caduceus (right) is interpreted as depicting god Ningishzida. Inscription; "To the god Ningiszida, his god, Gudea, Ensi (governor) of Lagash, for the prolongation of his life, has dedicated this"
^Durand, M.L. (2008). Supplément au Dictionnaire de la Bible: TELL HARIRI/MARI: TEXTES(PDF). p. 227.
^Corporation, Marshall Cavendish (2010). Ancient Egypt and the Near East: An Illustrated History. Marshall Cavendish. pp. 54–56. ISBN978-0-7614-7934-5.
^Ward, W. H. (1910). The seal cylinders of western Asia. Рипол Классик. pp. 23–24 Note 13, Seal N.38. ISBN9785878502252.
^Brisch, Nicole (2013). "Of Gods and Kings: Divine Kingship in Ancient Mesopotamia". Religion Compass. 7 (2): 37–46. doi:10.1111/rec3.12031.
^Year-names for Gudea, Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative.
^Steinkeller, Piotr. Puzur-Inˇsuˇsinak at Susa: A Pivotal Episode of Early Elamite History Reconsidered. p. 299.
^Thomason, Allison Karmel (2017). Luxury and Legitimation: Royal Collecting in Ancient Mesopotamia. Routledge. p. 87. ISBN978-1-351-92113-8.
^Moorey, Peter Roger Stuart (1999). Ancient Mesopotamian Materials and Industries: The Archaeological Evidence. Eisenbrauns. p. 245. ISBN978-1-57506-042-2.
^Thapar, Romila (1975). "A Possible Identification of Meluḫḫa, Dilmun and Makan". Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient. 18 (1): 1–42. doi:10.2307/3632219. ISSN 0022-4995. JSTOR 3632219.
^ abc"MS 2814 - The Schoyen Collection". www.schoyencollection.com.
^"J'étendrai sur le monde le respect de mon temple, sous mon nom l'univers depuis l'horizon s'y rassemblera, et [même les pays lointains] Magan et Meluhha, sortant de leurs montagnes, y descendront" (cylindre A, IX)" in "Louvre Museum".
^Moorey, Peter Roger Stuart (1999). Ancient Mesopotamian Materials and Industries: The Archaeological Evidence. Eisenbrauns. p. 87. ISBN978-1-57506-042-2.
Black, J.A.; Cunningham, G.; Dahl, Jacob L.; Fluckiger-Hawker, E.; Robson, E.; Zólyomi, G. (1998). "The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature". University of Oxford.
Frayne, Douglas R. (1993). Sargonic and Gutian Periods. University of Toronto Press.
F. Johansen, "Statues of Gudea, ancient and modern". Mesopotamia 6, 1978.
A. Parrot, Tello, vingt campagnes des fouilles (1877-1933). (Paris 1948).
N.K. Sandars, "Introduction" page 16, The Epic of Gilgamesh, Penguin, 1972.
H. Steible, "Versuch einer Chronologie der Statuen des Gudea von Lagas". Mitteilungen der Deutschen Orient-Gesellschaft 126 (1994), 81–104.
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gudea.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Gudea.
The true face of Gudea. A realistic statue of Gudea shows us how he may have looked in real life.
gudea, sumerian, 𒅗𒌤𒀀, ruler, ensi, state, lagash, southern, mesopotamia, ruled, 2080, 2060, short, chronology, 2144, 2124, middle, chronology, probably, come, from, city, married, ninalla, daughter, ruler, baba, 2164, 2144, lagash, thus, gaining, entrance, roy. Gudea Sumerian 𒅗𒌤𒀀 Gu3 de2 a was a ruler ensi of the state of Lagash in Southern Mesopotamia who ruled c 2080 2060 BC short chronology or 2144 2124 BC middle chronology He probably did not come from the city but had married Ninalla daughter of the ruler Ur Baba 2164 2144 BC of Lagash thus gaining entrance to the royal house of Lagash He was succeeded by his son Ur Ningirsu Gudea ruled at a time when the center of Sumer was ruled by the Gutian dynasty and when Ishtup Ilum ruled to the north in Mari 1 Under Gudea Lagash had a golden age and seemed to enjoy a high level of independence from the Gutians 2 Gudea𒅗𒌤𒀀Ruler of LagashDiorite statue of Gudea prince of Lagash dedicated to the god Ningishzida Louvre Museum Ruler of LagashReignc 2144 2124 BCPredecessorUr BabaSuccessorUr NingirsuSpouseNinallaIssueUr NingirsuDynastyKings of LagashLagashclass notpageimage Gudea ruled from Lagash Contents 1 Inscriptions 2 Statues of Gudea 3 Religion 4 International relations 5 Important artifacts 6 References 7 Sources 8 External linksInscriptions Edit nbsp Gudea Ensi Lagashki Gudea Governor of Lagash in an inscription nbsp Cylinder seal of Gudea It reads Gudea Ensi of Lagash Lugal me scribe thy servant 3 Gudea chose the title of ensi town king or governor not the more exalted lugal Akkadian sarrum Gudea did not style himself god of Lagash as he was not deified during his own lifetime this title must have been given to him posthumously 4 as in accordance with Mesopotamian traditions for all rulers except Naram Sin of Akkad and some of the Ur III kings 5 The 20 years of his reign are all known by name the main military exploit seems to have occurred in his Year 6 called the Year when Anshan was smitten with weapons 6 Although Gudea claimed to have conquered Elam and Anshan most of his inscriptions emphasize the building of irrigation channels and temples and the creation of precious gifts to the gods 7 Materials for his buildings and statues were brought from all parts of western Asia cedar wood from the Amanus mountains quarried stones from Lebanon copper from northern Arabia gold and precious stones from the desert between Canaan and Egypt diorite from Magan Oman and timber from Dilmun Bahrain 8 9 10 Statues of Gudea EditMain article Statues of Gudea nbsp Statue of Gudea Louvre Lens nbsp Sculpture of the head of Sumerian ruler Gudea c 2150 BC National Archaeological MuseumReligion Edit nbsp Foundation figurines of gods in copper alloy reign of Gudea c 2150 BCE from the temple of Ningirsu at Girsu British Museum London nbsp Votive stele of Gudea ruler of Lagash to the temple of Ningirsu Gudea being led by Ningishzida into the presence of a deity who is seated on a throne From Girsu Iraq 2144 2124 BCE Ancient Orient Museum Istanbul nbsp Sacred basin a gift from Gudea to the temple of Ningirsu From Girsu Iraq 2144 2122 BCE Ancient Orient Museum Istanbul nbsp Diorite mortar an offering from Gudea to Enlil From Nippur Iraq 2144 2124 BCE Ancient Orient Museum IstanbulThe inscription on a statue of Gudea as architect of the House of Ningirsu 11 warns the reader of doom if the words are altered but there is a startling difference between the warnings of Sargon or his line and the warnings of Gudea The one is length Gudea s curse lasts nearly a quarter of the inscription s considerable length 12 and another is creativity The gods will not merely reduce the offender s progeny to ash and destroy his foundations no they will let him sit down in the dust instead of on the seat they set up for him He will be slaughtered like a bull seized like an aurochs by his fierce horn 13 Lagash under Gudea had extensive commercial communications with distant realms According to his own records Gudea brought cedars from the Amanus and Lebanon mountains in Syria diorite from eastern Arabia copper and gold from central and southern Arabia and from Sinai while his armies were engaged in battles in Elam on the east 14 International relations Edit nbsp Location of foreign lands for the Mesopotamians including Meluhha Main article Indus Mesopotamia relations In an inscription Gudea referred to the Meluhhans who came to Sumer to sell gold dust carnelian etc 14 In another inscription he mentioned his victory over the territories of Magan Meluhha Elam and Amurru 14 In the Gudea cylinders Gudea mentions that I will spread in the world respect for my Temple under my name the whole universe will gather in it and Magan and Meluhha will come down from their mountains to attend cylinder A IX 15 In cylinder B XIV he mentions his procurement of blocks of lapis lazuli and bright carnelian from Meluhha 16 The first known reference to Goa in India possibly appears as Gubi in the records of Gudea 17 At the time Sumerians had established trade contacts with India 17 Important artifacts Edit nbsp The Libation vase of Gudea with the dragon Musḫussu dedicated to Ningishzida 21st century BC short chronology The caduceus right is interpreted as depicting god Ningishzida Inscription To the god Ningiszida his god Gudea Ensi governor of Lagash for the prolongation of his life has dedicated this nbsp Head of Gudea in polished diorite reign of Gudea Boston Museum of Fine Arts nbsp Lion macehead of Gudea Girsu 18 nbsp Gudea dedication tablet to God Ningirsu For Ningirsu Enlil s mighty warrior his Master Gudea ensi of Lagash nbsp Gudea tablet For Hendursaga his master Gudea ruler of Lagash built his house 19 Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin nbsp Foundation nail of Gudea Cleveland Museum of Art nbsp The Gudea cylinders 20 nbsp Name and title Gudea ensi of Lagash on Statue A of Gudea nbsp Foundation nail for the temple of Ningirsu in Lagash Reign of Gudea nbsp Mudbrick stamped with a cuneiform text mentioning the name of Gudea ruler of Lagash From Girsu Iraq c 2115 BCE Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin nbsp Seal of Gudea led by Ningishzida References Edit Durand M L 2008 Supplement au Dictionnaire de la Bible TELL HARIRI MARI TEXTES PDF p 227 Corporation Marshall Cavendish 2010 Ancient Egypt and the Near East An Illustrated History Marshall Cavendish pp 54 56 ISBN 978 0 7614 7934 5 Ward W H 1910 The seal cylinders of western Asia Ripol Klassik pp 23 24 Note 13 Seal N 38 ISBN 9785878502252 Edzard 1997 p 26 Brisch Nicole 2013 Of Gods and Kings Divine Kingship in Ancient Mesopotamia Religion Compass 7 2 37 46 doi 10 1111 rec3 12031 Year names for Gudea Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative Steinkeller Piotr Puzur Inˇsuˇsinak at Susa A Pivotal Episode of Early Elamite History Reconsidered p 299 Thomason Allison Karmel 2017 Luxury and Legitimation Royal Collecting in Ancient Mesopotamia Routledge p 87 ISBN 978 1 351 92113 8 Moorey Peter Roger Stuart 1999 Ancient Mesopotamian Materials and Industries The Archaeological Evidence Eisenbrauns p 245 ISBN 978 1 57506 042 2 Thapar Romila 1975 A Possible Identification of Meluḫḫa Dilmun and Makan Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient 18 1 1 42 doi 10 2307 3632219 ISSN 0022 4995 JSTOR 3632219 Edzard 1997 pp 31 38 Edzard 1997 pp 36 38 Edzard 1997 p 38 a b c MS 2814 The Schoyen Collection www schoyencollection com J etendrai sur le monde le respect de mon temple sous mon nom l univers depuis l horizon s y rassemblera et meme les pays lointains Magan et Meluhha sortant de leurs montagnes y descendront cylindre A IX in Louvre Museum Moorey Peter Roger Stuart 1999 Ancient Mesopotamian Materials and Industries The Archaeological Evidence Eisenbrauns p 87 ISBN 978 1 57506 042 2 a b Souza Teotonio R De 1990 Goa Through the Ages An economic history Concept Publishing Company p 2 ISBN 978 81 7022 259 0 de Sarzec Ernest Decouvertes en Chaldee L Heuzey p 229 D O Edzard The Royal inscriptions of Mesopotamia Early periods vol 3 1 Gudea and His Dynasty Toronto 1997 p 117 118 Louvre Museum Sources EditEdzard Dietz Otto 1997 Gudea and His Dynasty University of Toronto Press ISBN 9780802041876 Black J A Cunningham G Dahl Jacob L Fluckiger Hawker E Robson E Zolyomi G 1998 The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature University of Oxford Frayne Douglas R 1993 Sargonic and Gutian Periods University of Toronto Press F Johansen Statues of Gudea ancient and modern Mesopotamia 6 1978 A Parrot Tello vingt campagnes des fouilles 1877 1933 Paris 1948 N K Sandars Introduction page 16 The Epic of Gilgamesh Penguin 1972 H Steible Versuch einer Chronologie der Statuen des Gudea von Lagas Mitteilungen der Deutschen Orient Gesellschaft 126 1994 81 104 External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gudea nbsp Wikiquote has quotations related to Gudea The true face of Gudea A realistic statue of Gudea shows us how he may have looked in real life Regnal titlesPreceded byUr Baba King of Lagashca 22nd century BC Succeeded byUr Ningirsu Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gudea amp oldid 1176234870, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
